Like this:

We were craving for dim sum and debating between Chinatown, downtown LA or Din Tai Fung, 20 miles away. Our favorite one in Chinatown shut down a long time ago and all famous Chinese restaurants are located further in East LA. Then he found a four star place on yelp just 4 miles away from home.

After 15 minutes drive, we arrived the area and easily found a parking spot. Until the restaurant opened, we walked around.

Blue Bottle Coffee

Bonsai Tree along the street

This is the dim sum place

Jasmine Tea $4

Shrimp Dumpling $6.50

Pork & Shrimp Shumai $6.25, Sauteed Pea Shoots $9.50

House Beef Chow Mein $10.95

Steamed BBQ Pork Bun $6.95

Food is fairly good and the interior is fancier as dim sum restaurant. Price is probably doubled of ones in Chinatown.

Like this:

We stayed at a hotel near John Wayne Airport last night after attending the wedding. Around 3:30am, I work up and couldn’t go back to sleep. Oh no! I drank too much and gave a boost with coffee. Now I remember I shouldn’t drink more than two glasses and definitely no coffee at night. I finally went back to sleep around 5:30am. Around 6:30am, he started waking up and waking me up too. Please! I felt so sick and tired. On the other hand, he was so ready and hungry. The hotel offered breakfast buffet, but I couldn’t eat much.

After taking a nap for a couple hours in the room, we checked out and drove to Balboa Peninsula.

At 11:30am, we got together with friends, husband & wife. I worked with him in the same team more than 10 years ago.

His: TURKEY, AVOCADO & OREGON PEPPER BACON $12.95

Mine: SLOW OVEN ROASTED TURKEY SALAD $15.50
I wanted either PLUMS FAMOUS DUTCH BABY or RASPBERRY PANCAKES with coffee, but my body couldn’t take it. To feel better soon, I had food to detox.

This place was packed with a hundred people or more. Food is pretty good. Service was great too. It is just too noisy to talk 😦 Ambience is ok too.